See What’s for Sale at Abilene’s Historic Farolito’s: GALLERY

Some restaurants are simply places where we go to eat. Others become part of our lives, our families, and our memories.

For generations of Abilenians, Farolitos Mexican Food Restaurant was one of those places.

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After serving Abilene since 1936, the historic Mexican food restaurant has permanently closed its doors. Now, nearly everything inside is being sold, giving longtime customers, collectors, and anyone who loves Abilene history an opportunity to own a piece of it.

The estate sale is being conducted by Estate Sales By Joe Pete this weekend, so don't miss out. Check out the estate sale items here on the Estate Sales By Joe Pete page.

Nearly 90 Years of Abilene History

Farolitos was more than a Mexican food restaurant. It was an Abilene institution and a Herrera family legacy that spanned generations.

Over the years, Farolitos became known for its family recipes, its unique atmosphere, and, of course, some incredible Mexican food.

Even the name has special meaning. “Farolito” is Spanish for “little lantern.”

Sadly, that little lantern is lit no more.

Farolitos Was Part of My Family's Story

For me, Rudy “Fearless” Fernandez, this one hurts.

When I learned Farolitos had permanently closed, my mind immediately went back to my childhood and the memories of Mom and Dad taking the Fernandez family there to eat.

If my memory serves me correctly, Farolitos may have been the first restaurant our family ate at when we first came to Abilene.

I can still remember Dad ordering an extra bowl of salsa with his meal. And I remember Mom joking with Dad about how wonderful the food was, saying something like, “This food is so good, I'll never have to cook again!”

It's amazing how those little moments stay with us.

Years pass. Children grow up. Parents grow older. Buildings and businesses come and go. Yet somehow, I can still picture our family sitting around that table, enjoying the food, talking, laughing, and simply being together.

Those are the memories Farolitos brings back for me.

Abilene Loved Farolitos

And I know I'm not alone.

A few years ago, I asked my Facebook friends, “Who has the best chips and hot sauce in town?” Farolitos came out on top.

About a year later, I asked about the best tacos in Abilene, and once again Farolitos received the love from people throughout the Big Country. When I asked about the best Mexican food in town, Farolitos was again among the favorites.

Those were informal Facebook surveys, but they told me something I already knew: Abilene loved Farolitos.

The chips and salsa, the tacos and those Herrera family recipes weren't simply food. For many families, they became part of an Abilene tradition.

Own a Piece of Abilene History

Now comes one final opportunity to walk through this historic place and take home something representing nearly 90 years of Abilene history.

Mark Herrera is hosting an estate sale at Farolitos on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, September 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Farolitos is located at 209 Cottonwood St., Abilene,

Everything must go.

For collectors of Abilene memorabilia, restaurant nostalgia, and local history, this isn't just another estate sale.

This is an opportunity to own a piece of Abilene history.

Think about how many generations walked through those doors. How many first dates happened there? How many families celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions over plates of Mexican food? How many children sat at those tables with their parents and later returned with children of their own?

That's what makes losing a place like Farolitos so difficult.

The Little Lantern Goes Dark

I'm going to miss Farolitos.

I'm saddened knowing this wonderful piece of Abilene history will no longer be there and that the Herrera family's Farolitos food legacy has come to an end.

But I'll always have my memories.

I'll remember Dad ordering that extra bowl of salsa. I'll remember Mom talking about how good the food was. Most importantly, I'll remember the Fernandez family sitting together around that table.

That's something no closing sign can ever take away.

“Farolito” may mean “little lantern,” but for nearly 90 years, Farolitos was one of Abilene's brightest lights.

Now that little lantern has gone dark.

But for the generations of Abilenians who ate there, laughed there, celebrated there, and made memories there, the light of Farolitos will continue to shine.